Friday, March 20, 2009

Better Off Ted

In honor of Ted's visit to Seattle this weekend, I recommend watching the new ABC show, Better Off Ted. It is available at ABC.com. If you had any doubts I will convince you in three words why you should watch: Portia de Rossi. The beauty from Ally McBeal and Arrested Development, aka Mrs. Ellen DeGeneres, co-stars as Ted's boss Veronica. The show is a half-hour single-camera no-laugh-track direct-camera-narration* comedy. *See below.

Here's a random list of stuff about the Teds:

Not unlike our Ted, TV Ted is good looking and in great shape.

Unlike our Ted, TV Ted is a single parent. Our Ted recently dog sat for a week for the first time. Hi Milo!

Like our Ted, TV Ted is a voice or reason in his hostile work place.

Unlike our Ted, TV Ted works as a manager in a large evil corporation. Our Ted left his manager job at his evil corporation and does consulting or something for another evil corporation.

Yay for Ted!

*TV Show Narration styles:

Voice-Over Actor. Examples: Veronica Mars, Magnum PI. The main character also supplies the narration because otherwise you don't know what they are thinking.

Voice-Over Flashback. Examples: Wonder Years, How I Met Your Mother. Although similar to "voice-over actor" these is told from the point of view of one character in the future about events in his/her past.

Interview. Example: The Office. I think this is a unique format to The Office right now. Characters talk to a never seen or heard interviewer as if they were on a reality show. It is not clear to me if this is just a window into their mind or someone is really interviewing them. I need to watch more of The Office. My goal is to catch up on it this summer.

Direct Camera Narration. Examples: Better Off Ted, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. OK, that second example was a movie, but it was also a short lived TV show with Rachel from friends as Jeannie his sister. But I digress. This kind of narration has the main character talking directly to the camera and breaking the fourth wall. Also, Malcolm In The Middle.

About Me

I love TV. Movies are great but there's so much more story and character development that can be accomplished in episodic television. Since I started unwittingly studying television over 25 years ago I've noticed many patterns and advancements. I will share my views, opinions, and TV news several times a week. Please leave your own comments.